Machine for assembling automatic sprinkler-heads.



in. HA-MILTON. MACHINE FQR ASSEMBLING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HEADS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. |9I2- RENEWEQ MAY 2]. 1916. 1,206,107. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

ISHEETS-SHEET I- L\ WITNESSES v MVENTQR a i v MM Arrow/Er:

1. R. HAMILTON. MACHINE FOR ASSFMBLINGAUTOMATI'C SPRINKLER HEADSQ APPLICATION HLLD APR. 6 l9l2- RENEWED MAY 21,!916.

1,206,107. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

7SHEETS -SHEET 2.

ATTURNEYQS J. R. HAMILTON. MACHINE'FOR ASSEMBLING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HEADS.

APPLICATION FILED APRJJ. IQIZ- RENEWEQ MAY 21,1916.

Patented Nov. '28, 1 916 ISHEETS-SHEET 3.

Q Q m ltul +3 I IIIIL man/ms 1. R. HAMILTON. MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING AUTOMAUC SPRINKLER HEADS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. i912- RENEWED MAY 2!. l91 6. 1,206,107. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

1. R. HAMILTON. MACHINE FORASSEMBLING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HEADS.

- APPLICATION FILED APR. 6- I912- RENEWED MAY 2], i916. 1,206,107.

Patented Nov. 28', 1916.-

Qx @x v YSHEETS SHEET 5- z r LIIWJ" I 1 I v E I I nwavron v I 4110mm AH'ILICATION FILED APIL S. I912- RENEWED MAY 2!. 1916.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

nnbmfrs J. R. HAMILTON. MACHINE 'FOH ASSEMBLING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER HEADS. APPLICATION FILED APR. 6. 19I2 RENEWED MAY 2!, I916.- 1,206,107. Patented Nov. 28, 1916.

. TSHEETS-SHEET 7.

wm w V WITNESSES mmd f/ w .UNITED sra rns JOHN R. HAMILTON, OF YONKERS, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER. COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF YORK.

MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER-HEADS Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 6. 1912, Serial No. 688,872. Renewed May 27, 1916. Serial No. 100,377;

TouZl whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN R. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, and'resident of Yonkers, l'Vestchester county, New York, have made certain new and useful Inventions Relating to Machines for Assembling Automatic Sprinkler-Heads, of which the following is aspecification, taken in connection witih the accompanying drawings, forming part of the same.

This invention relates to machines for assembling and testing automatic sprinkler heads especially such heads as are described in the Hamilton Patent 998,574 of July 18, 1911. The machine may comprise a suitable carrier of. any desired construction which may have the form of an intermittently rotated turret having any suitable holding devices forthe head frames. These head frames may be gripped by the holding devices at one station as shown in Figure 17 and then at a succeeding station the parts forming-the cap or valve .may be placed in proper position with respect to the frame shown in Fig. 18. At one or more subsequentstations to which the head frame is subsequent stations be subjected to hydraulic frame inserting station including a section pressure as indicated in Fig. 20 so as to detect'any leakage. of the head and as indicated in that figure a suitable load testing device may act on the head to automatically determine whether the pressure of the retainer on the cap is normal. At subsequent stations the satisfactory heads may be drilled and pinned as indicated in 21 and subsequently discharged from the carrier, the rejected heads being simultaneously separated from the satisfactory ones.

In the accompanying drawings showing in a somewhat diagrammatic -manner an illustrative embodiment of this invention. Figure 1 is a general plan view. Fig. 2 is a front elevation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical side section of certain parts at the of the frame feed. Fig. 4: is a similar section taken from the opposite side. Fig. 5 is a verticalsection showing the cap setting station, and Fig. 6 is a corresponding plan connection with the hydraulic test devices.

Fig. '15 'is an enlarged vertical section of portions thereof taken along the line 1515 of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is an enlarged elevation of this arm and connected devices. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the operation efiected at the frame inserting station. I Fig. 18 similarly shows the cap setting operation. Fig. 19 illustrates diagrammatically the retainer assembling and 'setting' Fig. 20 shows the load. testing devices; and Fig.

21 is a diagram of the pinning operation.

In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a suitable rigid frame such as 69 may be used to support the various operating parts such as the turret or carrier 1 which as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 14: may be conveniently mounted to revolve aboutv a vertical axis and be provided with any desired number Patented Nov. 28, 1am..

Fig. 12 is a longiof turret arms 2 which may be provided 1 with holding devices of any desired description to hold the parts of the head during the assembling operation. The turret may be conveniently given an intermittent rotation or step-by-step movement by any desired mechanism, such for instance, as the feed ratchet 19 shown in Fig. 1 which may be pivoted to the collar 266 and be swung into cooperation with the internal ratchet teeth 268 by a suitable spring 267. This ratchet may be oscillated at the desired intervals by any suitable mechanism such as the link 18 connected to the lever 17 whose cam rollis actuated by suitable cams such as 332,333 on the cam cylinder 11 mounted upon-tho main shaft'ltS. This shaft as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 may be mounted in suitable bearings 8, 149 and be driven by the gears 9, 10 from the drive shaft carrying a suitable driving device such as the pulley 3. It is desirable to insuref definite alineinent of the turret so that the turret arms will bring the head into definite alinement with the assembling devices at the various stations and for this purpose a suitable alining device or justifier 270 may as indicated in Fig. 1 be mounted to coperate with a series of alining slots 269 in the sides of the turret so that when .the cam roll 271 on this justifier is operated by the cams 287, 288 on the cam cylinder the justifier is forced into one of these alining apertures so as to definitely bring the turret into alinement and hold it in that position until the jilstifier is withdrawn and the turret moved forward another step to advance each of the turret arms to the next station.

As indicated in Fig. 3, the turret arms 2 may be formed at their outer ends with the chuck bosses 21 in which the chucksv may be nally v vent leakage.

" The head frames may be conveniently supplied to the machine by a frame belt l'suchLas 29, feeding a series of these frames :througha chute so thatthe forward frame enters a suitable turner 37 and is longitudialined therein by engagement with the q aliner 38. The succeedlng frames may be disengaged from the frame in the turner by a Suitable disengaging device or retsa'ctor 34 which a retfactor pin or bar 31 which may be raised in the slot 32 at the proper time so 'as to engage the retractor arm 33 and swing theietractor sufliciently so as to positively disengage the cooperating threaded neck 35 from the head frame within the turner. The turner 37' which is a casing having an aperture adapted to admit'the head frame which may have a square body 61, is pivotby the pin 334 to the elevator 68 and alsohas in its extension 4:2 a turning pin 44 engaging the curved ,turnin guide 41 in the guide plateniO, as shown H1 Figs. 3 and 4. In this way when the elevator rises the turner carried upward and simultaneously swung about the pin 334: so as to turn the head frame into vertical position and carry its threaded end into engagement with the threaded chuck throat 26. It is also desirable to have a suitable clamp to hold the head frame in the turner during this action and for this purpose the turner clamp 261 maybe provided and mounted on the clamp lever 26(7 plvbted about the pin 263 in the y be swung about its piy ot by 1 acce e? turner. This clamp is normally held up in active position so as to engage a head by a suitable light spring 262, although. when the turner is in the lowered position shownvin Fig. 3 the prdjecting end 264 of this clamp is brought into engagement with the releaS- ing stop 36 so to swing the gripping end of this clamp about its pivot into retracted position. The elevator 68 moves vertically in suitable guides, such as 64, in the frame as indicated in Fig. 2, and may be recipro-. cated at the proper time by a suitable link 66 pivoted to the pin in the elevator and pivoted at. its other end to a suitable elevator lever 67 swinging about the pin or shaft 70 in the frame and carrying a suitable counter- Weight 72 on the arm or extension 71 secured to this shaft. This shaft also carries the elevator cam arm 73 having the cam roll 74 adapted to be actuated by a suitable cam such as 75 on the cam drum 11. In this way the elevator is raised into the position indicated in full lines in Fig. 4 carrying the turnerv 37 upward into codperation with the chuck'gear 25, so that the threaded neck or connection of the head is inserted intothe chuck throat 26. At the same time the inserting gear 27 is raised into mesh with the chuck gear 25 so as to rotate this gear and screw the head into the chuck throat so that it is brought into firm engagement with the packing 23. It is of course desirable to maintain the head in vertical position during this inserting operation and for this purpose a suitable centering spring such as 39 may be mounted on the elevator '68, as shown in Fig. 3, so that during this vertical movement a suitable pin on the end of this I centering spring engages the threaded hole in the end of the head frame and maintains it in vertical position as well as yieldingly pressing it forward so that it is screwed into the chuck throat. The inserting gear 27 may asindicated be secured to the shaft 28 and extend through a friction clutch operating device 265. This clutch device may have the two adjustable clutch members 265 coin-Q nected to a suitable sleeve mounted in the bracket 49 and connected to the skew gear 45. Between these adjustable clutch memhers is mounted a suitable'friction disk 335 having a connected sleevethiough which the shaft extends, a suitable spline or feather.

on the disk engaging the slot 336 win the shaft 28 so as to rotate the in unison with the clutch disk. although when the de sired torque is exceeded slip occurs between the disk and clutch members. The skew gear 45 meshes with. a cotiprating' skew gear 46 on the shaft 337 and this shaft may have. its pulley 6 driven by a suitable belt orsprocket chain 5 on'the pulley 4: of the main shaft.

The caps may be inserted in the head frame at the second or anysucceeding station and the cap inserting device is shoWn in Figs. 5 andti. The cap members may be previously assembled manually or mechanically in any desired way and fed in a continuous row down the inclined cap guide or chute 52 so as to be alined by engagement with a spring detent 58 pivoted about the bolt 62 and normally held in the position indicated in Fig. (5 by a suitable spring 60. The first of these caps 54 is held in position out of line withthe advancing head frames by a suitable lifting rod 55 provided at its upper end with a suitable projection to engage the recess in the cap and hold the same firmly in position in connection with a suitable cover, such as 53. Whentheturret brings one of the head frames into alinement with this cap setting station the lifting rod is lowered sufficiently to release the cap andthesucceedingcapsin the cap chute then push this first cap under the valve seat in the head frame andsecure its positive alinement in connection therewith by contact with the springdetent 58. The lifting rod then rises first coming into alining and holding engagement with the succeeding cap and then rising sufliciently to bring its collar 34:6 into engagement with the guide track 56 to lift this guide track and the connected cap guide 52 away from the frame'support .361 and to lift the cap on this track section into the valve seat in the head frame located 4 at this station. This guide track is held in this elevated position so as to keep the cap in alinement with the head until the turret moves the head' and cap to the next station where the cap is positively secured to the head. Then the lifting rod is lowered suiticiently to bring the track section into contact with the support 361 so as to allow another cap to be forced into alinement with Figs. 7 and 8 assemble the male and female strut or retainer members 90, 104, as shown 1n Fig. 19 so that they are connected by the fusible link 92 for insertion in the head so i as to hold the cap in position'on the valve seat thereof in connection with the holding screw 111 and deflector 112, The female retainers 104 are fed in a cont "1110118 row down the shaped retainer guide 9 and the male retainmmembers are similarly fed down the guide 80. A vertical row of the fusible links 92- is simultaneously fed down the link guide 81, all of these guides being supported in any desired way from the machine frame.

The pusher 91 for assembling the retainer is secured to the member 82 and is reciprocated at the desired times by the link 87 pivoted to the pusher lever 88 pivoted about the pin 16 in a suitable bracket on the frame and carrying at its outer end the roll 15 adapted to be engaged by suitable cams on the cam cylinder 11, such as cams 12 and 13. This pusher is so shaped as to come behind one of. the links 92 and force the same forward into the slot in one of the male retainer members 96 which is held in alinement therewith by resting upon the shelf 101 formed on the block 85 iii line with thelower edge of the retainer guide 102 and by a suitable grip, such as 106,which may be pivoted about the pin 107 in the block 85 and also if'de sired by the detainer. 97 which may be pivoted in the bracket 99 on the link guide and normally held in the position indicated by the light spring 98. This link 92 as it is forced forward engages the curved depressor 100 so as to be downwardly deflected after its upper edge has passed the studs 138 in this re-' tainer,-the.link then dropping down in the retainer slot so as to rest upon this male retainer membeiz, At this time the tripping bar 86 connected to the member 82 and guided by the pin 93 in the support 94 on .the block 85 engages the end of the retainer and rotates its holding end laterally out of engagementwith the retainer 96. The link' and male retainer member are-then pushed forward together by the pusher, the block '85 moving forward in unlson therewith since the member 82 has come into engagement with the collar 83 on the block rod 84;.

The female retainer member 10 which has issued from the retainer guide 79 is held .against forward movement by the spring holder and 1S also engaged by the holding spring 103 which rests on top of this member near the guide so as to leave the slot 187 therein free; The link depending from the male retainer member is thus guided accurately into the slot 137 and the retainer members are in this way pushed together into cooperation so as to assume the relative positions indicated in full lines in Figs. 8 and 19. The pusher then comes into engagement with the alined rear ends of the link and retainer members and forces the spring holder 10!) down so that the retainer members enter the alining guides 109 in the guide member 108. In this way they are accurately brought into alinement with the seat in the valve cap and are gradually brought to a stop by the end 124 in the spring pressed alining stop 122 pivoted about the pin 123' and spring pressed forward so as to absorb the for-' ward movement of the retainer and bring it 4 down the track116 having a suitable in clination or feeding belt so that the screw 111 of the first deflector engages the screw notch 118 in a suitable shuttle 117 shown in Fig. 8. This shuttle is mounted on a suitable guideway which may be formed by the separated projections 142 on the plate 114, as shown in Fig. 7 and is normally retracted by the spring 120. This shuttle is moved forward at the proper time by the link 129 pivoted about the pin 130 connected to this shuttle. As shown in Fig. 9 the shuttle lever 126 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 115 and is pivoted at its upper end to this link 129 by the pin 131 so that when the pin 128 on the cam cylinder engages the inclined cam surface 127 on this shuttle lever it is moved forward sufiiciently to bring the deflector screw into alinement with the socket 125 so as to be engaged by a tension chuck 110 on the tension shaft 113 (see Figs. 7 and 8) this feeding of the deflector taking place before the turret has brought the corresponding head .frameinto alinement with this station. As shown in Fig. 2 this tension shaft cooperates at-itsipolygonal or feathered lower end with a suitable tension chuck having the member 338 connected through a suitable sleeve with the skew gear 341. This chuck member and the companion chuck member 339 are held together by adjustable springs 340 so as to press upon the clutch plate 342 of fiber or other light material which is splined to thetension shaft 113 so as to turn it in unison with the skew gear 143 while allowing slip if the normal torque is exceeded. The skew gear 341 may be driven in anydesi-red way as by mesbing with the skew gear 342 on the shaft 337. The tension shaft 113 may be raised by such as the lifter lever any suitable device, 133 having an end engaging the annular slot 132 in the sleeve secured to this tension shaft, the lifter lever being pivoted about the pin 13a as shown in Fig. 2 and having its upper arm 135 provided with a suitable cam roll 136 adapted to engage the cam 14.-

on the cam cylinder; In this way when the threaded aperture in the head is brought into alinemen't with the holding screw 111 the connected deflector 112 is engaged by the tension chuck 110 and the screw set home upon the alined retainer members 104, 96 so as to force the latter into the depression in the. cap member and force the cap or valve tightly down on the valve seat in the head. The accurate adjustment of the turning moment or torque on this tension shaftinsures the uniformity of the strain or load putupon these parts so that it is possible to hold thevalve securely in position without danger of developing such stresses as might strain or permanently set the parts and deof their emergency releasing stroy resiliency action.

If desired it is possible to test the loading of each head or the force with which its cap or valve is held in place by the retainer members and this may be conveniently done at any stationjafter the parts have been as sembled either" before or after the heads have been hydraulically tested in case that is done. A load testing device for this purpose is indicated in Figs. 1 and 20 and this testing device may comprise a suitable gripping arm 292 to engage the upper retainer or the link above the same and this arm may if desired be pivoted about the pin 294i to a suitable bracket 295 mounted on the frame.

Another coiiperating gripping arm. 296 having its face adapted to engage the retainer outside of the centrally located-link 92 so that when these two gripping arms are forced together the retainer levers will be swung together against the strain normally put upon the parts. The gripping arm 296 -,may be pivoted by the pin 293 to the cooperating gripping arm. and may have a suitable extension or'scale' beam 312 with which suitable weights 307, 308 may'cooperate, the position of these weights being adjustable as by regulating the position of suitable set-nuts 314 on the light spacing bar 313 passing loosely through the upper portion of these weights. When the turret carries a head into alinement with this load from the retainer andthe'similarlyspacedfdisengagingcam 304: on this operatingbary cooperates w'itlithe roll 298. pivoted in a. downward extension on the gripping ,jarm" 292 so as to simultaneously raise thiserm out of engagement.

hold thisout ofengagement with the scale beam extension of the gripping arm 296 with which it loosely engages.

W'hen one of the heads has been brought by. the turret into alinement with this load testing device the rotation of the cam 303 on the main shaft 148 allows the heavy spring 34:? connected to draw this bar forward as far as is permitted by the roll 302 in engagement with the cam 303 on the main shaft 148. This forward movement of theoperating bar withdraws the wedges-or cams 303, 304 from the co- 1 operating rolls'so as to allow the gripping The similar disengag. ing cam 3051112131 as indicated cooperate with' the minimumweight 307 so 352th) normally" the operating bar 300 to arms to engage the retainer members as stated and simultaneously the minimum 1 weight 307 which may of course be of coni then taking the position shown in Fig.

and forcingv the gripping arms together with a force equal to the minimum weight or minimum loading for whlch the head 1s designed. If the head is assembled with such weak tension as to allow the parts to yield under this minimum load the insulated pin 327 in the gripping arm 296 which is normally slightly out of contact therewith comes into electrical 'contact with the depending fin or flange of the fusible link 92 so as to complete the electrical circuit from the battery connected through the wire 325 to the gripping arm 22 so as to energize the fusible link. The wire 328 connects the insulated pin 327 with the minimum bar contact 329 and also with the maximum bar contact 330 which are carried by the operating bar 300 but insulated therefrom by suitable interposed rubber or other insulation. The narrow minimum bar contact 329 is under these minimum loading conditions in electrical contact with the spring 331 carriedby the bracket 295 but insulated therefrom, this contact spring being connected by the wire 32% with the maximum solenoid or magnet 321 and the minimum solenoid or magnet 319 which are thus connected in series with the battery; or other suitable source of electricity 323. cum tances the yielding of the retainer levers under this minimum loading so as to make contact between the insulated pin 327 and the retainer link 92 sends the cur- .rent through both the maximum and minimum solenoids actuating their armatures and moving the minimum solenoid armature 320 against its spring 366 so as to project this ari'nature into the path of the extension 35,3 of the trip 158 which may be mounted on any part of the turret arm 2 as for instance upon the stem of the cut-out (al.c. 229 connected to this head, see Figs. 15 and 1G.

"The continued movement of the operating lines. thus visually indicating or determining the rejection of the head. In case, however, the head is stron enough to withstand Under these cir-- this minimum loading the operating bar moves still farther forward until the cam 306 moves out from under the roll 310 on the excess or maximum weight 308 so as to allow this weight to also come into contact with the scale beam 312 connected to the gripping arm. This forces the gripping arms together more strongly so that the desired maximum loading is placed upon the head under which'the retainer levers should yield and swing together if the head has been properly assembled. In case such yielding takes place at this time the insulated pin 327 comes into contact with the fusible link 92 so as to complete-the electrical circuit through the battery 323 and the solenoids 319 and 32l, the operating bar having carried the maximum bar contact 330 into contact with the spring 331 at this time. The battery 323 thus retracts the armature 322 out of the path of the trip 158. The continued vertical movement of the bar or support 318, which may be guided by having its reduced polygonal end 368 mounted in a guiding aperture in the bracket 295, therefore has noaction on the trip which is allowed to remain in its normal position under these circumstances. If, however, the parts of the head are so'stiif that they do not yield under this standard excess loading there is no contact between the insulated pm 327 and the link under these conditions and the solenoid armature 322 is not retracted, but is held out by its spring 367 so that when the connected bar or support 318 is moved vertically by the actuating lever, the trip is engaged and swung into its horizontal rejection position. The assembled heads may also be tested by submitting them to hydraulic pressure 'of 300 pounds more or less which may be conveniently applied ball bearings if desired and held in position by a suitable heavy spring 244 on a central bolt 24:5 engaging the valve plug. This valve plug may be formed with a pressure passage 275 communicating with the nydrawlic supply pipe 224 and with a pressure port 276 which ma-yextend a considerable distance around the circumference so that if desired the heads may be tested under this hydraulic pressure throughout about onehalf the stations around the turret. It is also desirable to exhaust the water used in this hydraulic test and for that purpose the valve plug may be provided with a suction passage 278 communicating with a suction port 279 which. may extend throughout a quarter of a circumference more or lessis'o as to exhaust the water from the heads at the corresponding stations and discharge tips ufater through a suitable suction pipe As indicated more in detail in Figs. 15 and 16, the turret may be provided with the test pipes 225 extending along each of the same 2' sons to communicate with the passages 230 in cachet the chuck bosses 21. It is also desirable to have a fine tube preferably hiving a resilient bent end 280 extending init-o valve 226 and this pressure gage may have its needle provided with an electric contact piece 234 adapted. to close the electric conta-cts'235 in case of undesirable pressure reduction. In" case of leak it is of course desirable to shut off the admission of testing fluid to the leaking head-and a cut-oil valve such as 229 may be used for'this purpose the valve stem 281 preferably having thereon a suitable signal or trip such as 158, which may be manually operated if-desired,

or which may be automatically operated in any desired way by the leaking head. For

this purpose, the valve stem may be provided with a suitable armature 231 coiiperating with the leak magnet 228 on the,

bracket 232 connected in circuit with the contacts 235 and with a suitable battery or source of electricity 233 connected to the machine frame so as to electrify the contact segment 2S2 held stationary on the top plate 243 and engaged by contact springs such as 362 on each of the arms 2; so that when the contacts 235 are closed this magnet will be.

energized sufficiently to attract the armature 231 and correspondingly rotate the valve stem 281 through a quarter revolution so as to close this cut-oil valve and swing the trip 158 into substantially vertical position.

At any time after the heads have been as: sembled they may be permanently secured; or locked in adjusted position in any way as by f xing the holding screw permanently in position in the head in any desired way, as for instance, by drilling and pinning the parts together. I Fig. 1 the drill 164 is shown in position i o cooperate with the boss of the head into which the holding screw is threaded. This drill may as indicated in Fig. 10 be mounted on the shaft- 163 rapidly rotated by a belt such as 161 passing. over the pulley 162 and over the drive pulley 160 on the shaft 159 and over the tightening pulley 165 on the tightening lever 167 piv oted about the pin 166 and carrying the adjustable weight 168 at its free end. This shaft 148 so that this lever and the connected drill bracket 150 are forced forward against the pressure of the springs, such as 171, and the drill is forced into the head boss and holding screw to the desired extent. This cut-out lever and its connected pin are nor;

nially drawn backward by the light spring 356- shown in Fig. 2 as connected to the bracket 170 and the free end of this lever-is bent slightly so as to be engaged by the dis-' engaging pin 283 on the cam 151 during its rotation as indicated in Fig. 10 so as to' raise this cut-out lever slightly before the drill is fed forward. This slight movement occurs at about the time that the turret moves the head into position and in case'the trip 158 has been moved into the vertical rejection position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10, this trip thereupon moves under the cut-out arm 157 on the pin 155 so that under these conditions the cut-out lever is carried' the guideways 206 upon the support 188.-

It is desirable to firmly support the head during this pinning operation and for this purpose a suitable adjustable abutment may be arranged behind the boss in which the holding screw is pinned, this-abutment being formed by a suitable adjusting screw 189 mounted in the support and firmly held in position as by a lock nut as indicated so that when the turret carries the head around into the pinning position the adjusting screw engags the boss 163 of the head. The pinning slide may be conveniently reciprocated by the pinning lever 200 connected by the pivoted link 199 with the slide and actuated "by the cam-roll 176 on the extension 175 of this lever which cotiperates withthe cam 177 and return cam 178 on the camidisk 174 on the cam shaft so as to reciprocate the pinning slide at .the proper time. The wire or pin materialmay h in the form of a continuous pin roll 19 rotatably mounted on the pinning slide or support, the end being I having a. ratchet wheel 208 secured thereto.

as to be intermittently fed around to .the desired extent by the pawl 209 mounted on a suitable arm 210 pivoted about the roll and. actuated when the trips are in normal position. Thismay' be efiected by providing. a suitable feed pin or finger 214 secured to the slide 212 and normally drawn forward by the spiral spring 213 so as to have its upper end in thepath, of the trip 158 unless the trip has been moved into the rejection position. Under norinal conditions the feed pin strikes the trip as it moves forward,

- forcing the slide '213 and link 211 backwardso as to feed forward 'the pin to the desired extent. Further movement of the -pinning slidecarries the ends of the operatinglevers 202 between the gripping pins 215 so as to A force the gripping jaws 203 together sufiiciently to securely clamp the pin between them and guide it as it is forced forward into the drill-aperture in the boss and screw of the head. At this time the feed pin or finger 21$ may telescope so as to obviate excessive pressure on the trip, as shown in Fig. 13 the hollow end of this finger sliding over the reduced extension 264 to the extent necessary, these parts being normally held apart by the spiral spring 263 connected thereto. At this time when the parts are in thedotted positions shown in Fig. 13, the

gripping or cutting levers 186 are .actu

ated so as to force the gripping jaws together still farther and sever the inserted pin from the remaining pin material. These gripping levers may be -pivoted about the pins 187 and have their 'lower ends which are loosely connected by the slotted link 1S5 joined by the connecting the cam projection 195 actuated by the 006perating cam recess 196 on the cam 174 so as to instantly release the heading hammer and allow the actuating spring to forcibly swing the hammer against the pin and boss and rivet them together as indicated.

\Vhen the turret brings the heads into alinement at the discharge station they may be conveniently discharged or released from the chuck throats by a suitable. discharge gear 51 on the shaft 50 which may if desired be operated through a suitable friction clutch 359 similar to the one described in connection with the inserter gear and operated by the Skew gears 47,48 from the shaft 337.

lVhen the elevator 68 rises it may also. carry this discharge gear 51 up into mesh with the. chuck gear 25 so as to rotate the same in such direction as to disengage from the chuck throat the head which is held against rota-- tion in any desired way as by having. its arms engage acooperating part of the elevator. A suitable sorting finger, such as 219, may be mounted on the elevator so as to be carried with it into engagement with the projection or extension 358 on the end of the trip 158 when this trip is in vertical rejection position. This sorting finger may be mounted on the lever 360 pivoted about the pin 361 in the elevator and also pivoted i to the link 218 which may be providedat its satisfactory or approved heads.

orv cutting links 184 which connect them to the cutting bar 183 pivoted to the end of the cutting lever 181, swinging about the pin 182. The roll 180 onthe other end of this cut-ting lever cotiperates with a. suitablecam 17 9 on the shaftl48 so as to give this quick actuating movement described.

\Vhenthe cutting slide and gripping jaws have been retracted the heading hammer 192- 'may be brought forcibly against the end of the inserted pin driving it in fully and rivet ing the adjacent material of the boss down upon it so as to permanently secure the'parts in position; This heading hammer 192 may be pivoted about the pin 357' as shown in Fig. 1 and have its end pivoted to the link 19% which may be engaged by the heavy actuating spring 193. This link may be pivoted to the rock arm 197 and be provided with I lower end with the slot 288 with which the pin 287 in the rock arm 221 cooperates. This rock arm may operate a. suitable, rejection door 285 pivoted about the pm 286 to which the rock arm 221 is connected so that when this sorting finger is actuated by the rejection position of the trip the rejection door 285 in the slide 217 is raised and the head when released from the chuck throat drops through this rejection door so as not to pass down the slide as in the case of the The trips may be reset or moved into normal position by any suitable device which may be located 11o adjacent the retainer feeding device as shown in Fig. 2, and which may for instance com prise the cam shaped resetter 360 which may engage the resetting pins on projections 390 on the arms 358 of the trips to restore 11f each trip passing this station to its normal horizontal position indicated in full lines.

Having described this invention in connection with a number of illustrative embodiments, forms, proportions, materials, devices, arrangements and orders of steps, to the details of which disclosure the invention is not of course to be. secured by Letters Patent'is set forth in theappended claims.

1.In machines for assembling automatita sprinkler heads or the like, a rotary turret carrier provided with arms having holding devices to engage head frames, a valve plug mounted axially of said carrier and providp measles holding devices and adapted to coiiperate with said'ports, cutoff valves in said testing pipes and connected trips cooperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently' move said carrier to bring the head frames into 'coiiperation withvarious sta- 'tions, feeding and inserting devices to bring head frames. into coiiperation with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into cooperation with said head frames,

retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cotiperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to insert holding screws into said head frames at one of said stations, a tension shaft and connected slip friction clutch driving gear to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load load testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and to automatically set the cooperating trips in rejection position in case of the unsatisfactory condition of any of said heads, pressure 7 testing apparatus comprising a reduction valve and'a pressure gage in each of said testing pipes and cooperating automatic trip, actuating means to test said heads throughout a number of said stations and set said trips in rejection position in case'undesirable leakage occurs in the corresponding heads, locking devices coiiperating with said carrier andhaving their operation controlled by said trips, disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the heads when the corresponding trips are in rejection position.

2. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a rotary turret carrier provided with arms having holding i.

devices to engage said frames, a valve plug mounted axially of said carrier'an'd provided with pressue passages and ports, testing pipes connected with said holding devices and adapted to coiiperate with said ports, trips ooiiperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to bring head frames into coiiperation with the holding devices in said carrier. means to feed caps into cotiperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cooperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to insert holding screws into said head frames at one of said stations, a tension shaft and connected slip driving gear to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, load testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and to automatically set the cotiperating trips in rejection position in case of tie unsatisfactory condition of any of said heads, pressure testingapparatus comprising a reduction valve and a pressure gage in each of said testing pipes and coiiperatin automatic trip actuating means to test said heads throughout a number of said stations and set said trips in rejection position in case undesirable leakage occurs'in the corresponding heads, locking devices cotiperating with, said carrier and? having 4 crating with ,said holding devices,.means to intermittently move sa d carrier to bringthe headframe's into coiiperation'with 'va-i rious stations, feeding and inserting devices to bring head frames into coiiperation with the holding devices in said carrier, means ,to feed caps into cooperation'with said head frames, retainer settingfievices to feed retainers into cotiperation with said head frames at one of said stations. means to insert holding screws into said head frames atone of said stations, a tension shaft and connected slip driving gear to screw home said holding screws with asubstantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load. testin devices to engage and test the assembled heads and toautomatically set the coiiperating'trips in reJection position in case of the unsatisfactory condition of any of said heads, locking devices cooperating with said carrier and havinxz'their operation controlled by said trips, disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier-and sorting devices controlled by said trips to' separate the heads when the corresponding trips are in rejected position. I

4. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a rotary carrier having holding devices to engage head frames, a valve plug mounted axially of said carrier and provided with pressure and suction passages. and ports, testing pipes connected with said holding devices and adapted to cooperate-with said ports,'

oration with various stations, feeding and ,1 inserting devices to bring head frames 11160" cooperation with the holding devices-iii said carrier, means tofeed caps into cooperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cooperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to insert holding screws into said head frames atone of said stations, a

tension shaft and connected slip friction clutch driving gear to screw home said holding screws with a, substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, pressure testing apparatus -comprising a reduction valve and'ga Pressure gage in each of said tesing pipes and coiiperating automatic ti- "ip actuating means to. test said heads throughout a number of said stations and set said trips in rejection position in case undesirable. leakag occurs in the corresponding heads, locking devices coijperating with said carrier and having their operation controlled by said trips. disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the heads when the corresponding trips are in rejection position.

5. In machines for assembling. automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a rotary carrier having holding devices to engage head frames, a valve mounted axially of said car.

rier and provided with pressure passages and ports, testing pipes connected with said holding devices and adapted to cotiperate with said ports, trips cotiperating withsaid holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to bring head frames into coiiperation with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into cooperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cooperation with said head frames at one of said stations, meansto insert holding screws into said head frames at one of said stations, 21 tension shaft and connected slip driving gear...

to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, pressure testing apparatus comprising a reduction valve and a pressure gage in each of said testing pipes and cooperating automatic trip actuating means to test said heads throughout a number of said stations and said trips in rejection position in case u. correspomling heads, locking devices coiipcrating with id. carrier and having their operation controlled by said trips, disenga, ing means to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the heads whenthe correspondingtrips are in rejeetionposition.

8. in machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a rotarv'fcarrier having holding devices: to enga head desirable leakage occurs in the frames, al valve mounted axially of said carrier and provided with pressure passages and ports, testing pipes connected with said holding devices and adaptedto coiiperate With said ports, trips cooperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to bring head frames into coiiperation with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into codperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into coiiperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to insert holding screws into said head frames at one of said stations, a ten sion shaft and connected slip driving gear to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, pressure testing apparatus com prising automatic trip actuating means to test said heads throughout a number of said stations and set said trips in rejection position in case undesirable leakage occurs in "the corresponding heads, locking devices cooperating with said carrier and having their operationcontrolled by said trips, disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the heads when the corresponding trips are in rejection position.

7. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a rotary carrier having holding devices to engage head frames, a valve mounted axially of said car-' v rier and provlded with pressure passages and ports, testing pipes connected with said holding devices and adapted to coiiperate with said ports, trips coiiperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into coiiperation with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to bring head frames into cotiperation with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into cotiperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to {feed retainers into coiiperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, pressure testing apparatus comprising automatic trip actuating means to test said heads through-- out a number of said stations and set said trips in rejection position in case undesirable leakage occurs in the corresponding heads, locking devices coijperating with said carrier and having their operation c'ontrolled by said trips, disengaging means" to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the heads when the corresponding trips are in reiectinn position.

8. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler. heads or the like, a movable carrier having threaded holding devices to engage the threaded necks of head frames, trips coiSperet-ing with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into coiipe 'ation "with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to insert uv head frame into each of holding devices in said carrier, means to feed cups into cooperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cotiperetion with said head frames at one; bf said stations, means to insert holding srs ivs into said head frames at one of said statiiflsand a tension shaft and connected slip friction clutch driving gear to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, load testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically set the cooperating trips in rejection position in cam of the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, pres sure testing apparatus to test said heads at a number of said stations and autonnitically set said trips in case undesirable leakage occurs in the corresponding heads, head locking devices cooperating with said carrier and controlled by suid trips, disengaging means to disengagesaid heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the rejected heads.

9. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movable carrier having holding devices toeugage head frun1es,'trips cooperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation vvith various stations, feeding and inserting devices to insert a head frame into each of said holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into cooperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cooperation with said head frames at one of said stations. means to insert holding screws into said head frames at one of said stations and a tension sha ft and connected slip driving gear to screw home said holding screws with :1 substnntiully uniform torque and place said )5 and retainers under substamiinlly uniform load, load testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and autonmticully set the cooperating trips in rejection position in case. of the unsatisfactory condition of said heads. pressure test ng apparatus to test said hen ds at a number of said stations and automatically set said trips in case undesirable leakage occurs in the corwsponding heads. hen-d lo king devices coopcrating \vith said carrier and controlled by said trips, disencag ins: means to disengage said heads from s id \"urrirr and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the rejected heads.

rece es 10. In machines for assembling entomatic sprinkler heads, or the like, a movable carrier having holding devices to engage head frames, trips cooperiting with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames intocotiperation with. various stations, feeding and inserting devices to insert a head frame into each of said holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into cooperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into coiiperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to insert holding screws into said head frames at one of said stntionsend a tension shaft and connected slip driving gear to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, testing devices to engage and test the assembled heu ds at onq of said stations and automatically set the cooperating trips in rejection position in case of the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, head locking devices cooperating with said carrier and controlled by said tri.ps,disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the rejected heads.

11. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movable carrier having holding devices to engage head frames, trips cooperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to insert a head frame into each of said holding de-' vices in said carrier, means to feed caps into coijperation with said head frames, retainer setting deviccs'to feed retainers into coiip oration with said head frames at one of said stations, means to place said caps and re trainers under substantially uniform load, testing devicesto engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically set the cooperating trips in rejection position in case of the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, heed looking devices coiiperuting with said carrier and controlled by said trips, disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the rejected heads.

12. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movable carrier having threaded holding devices to engage the threaded necks of head frames, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into coiiperzition with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to insert a head frame into each of shid holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into coiiperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cooperation with said head a carrier.

frames, at one of said stations, means to insert holdingscrews into said head frames at one of said stations and a tension shaft and connected slip friction clutch driving gear to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, loadtesting devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically indicate the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, pressure testing apparatus to test said heads at a number of said stations and automatically indicate undesirable leakage of said corresponding heads, head locking devices cooperating with said carrier and disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier.

13. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movable carrier having holding devices to engage head frames, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation with various stations, feeding and insertingdevices to insert a head frame into each of said holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into coiiperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into coiiperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to insert holding screws into said. head frames at one of said stations and a tension shaft and connected slip driving gear to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, load testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically indicate the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, pressure testing apparatus to test said heads at a number of said stations and automatieally. indicate undesirable leakage of said corresponding heads, head locking devices cooperating with said carrier and disengaging means to disengage said heads 14. In machines for assembling ,automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movablecarrier having holding devices to engage 'head frames, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation with various stations, feedin and inserting devices toinsert a head frame 4 into each of said holding devices in said carfrom said said caps and retainers undersubstantially uniform load, testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said staions and automatically indicate the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, head locking devices coiiperating with said carrier and disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier.

15. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movable carrier having holding devices to engage head frames, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation. with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to insert a head frame into each of said holding devices in said carrier, means to' feed caps into co'ciperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cotiperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically indicate the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, head locking devices cooperating with said carrier and disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier.

16. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movable carrier having threaded holding devices to engage the threaded necks of head frames, means tointermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation 'rier and disengaging means to disengage saidlieads from said carrier.

17. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads?- a movable carrier having holding devices oengage head frames, trips cooperating with s'aidholding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into coiiperation with various stations, feeding devices to bring head frames into coiiperation -with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into cooperation with said head frames, retainer feeding devices to feed retainers and holding means into cooperation with said head frames, head tensioniug means to force home said holding means and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniformload, load testing locking devices coiiperating with said carrier and controlled. by said trips to lock the satisfactory heads in adjusted position, clisenmeans to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the rejected heads.

13. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads, a movable carrier having holding devices to head trips cooperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to brin the head frames into cooperation. with various stations, feeding devices to bring head frames into coijperation with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into coiiperation with said head frames, retainer feeding devices to feed retainers and holding means into cooperation with said head frames, head tensioning means to force home said holding means and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of 5V id stations and automatically set the cooperating trips in rejection position in case of the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, locking devices cooperating with said carrier and controlled by said trips to lock the satisfactory heads in adjusted position, disengaging means to disengage said hca ds from said carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the rejected heads.

19, in. maciiiines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads, a movable carrier having holding dc -ices to engage said frames, trips cooperating with said holding devices, means to intermii'btcntly move said carrier to bring the head fran'ies into cobperation with various stations, feeding devices to bring head frames into coi peration with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed into coo ieration with said head frames, retainer feeding devices to feed retainers and holding means into cooperation with said head frames, head tensioning means to force home said holding means and place said caps and retainers undersubstantially uniform load, testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically se the cooperating trips in rejection position in case of the unsatisi condition of said heads, loching devicecooperating with said carrier and controlled by said trips to lock the satisfactory heads in adjusted position, and disf'rames,

engaging trneans to disengage said heads from said carrier.

20. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads, a carrier having holding devices to engage head frames means to move said carrier relatively to said feedmg or assembling devices to bring the head prising atension shaft and connected slip driving gear to force home said holding means and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, load testingdevices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically indicate the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, hydraulic pressure testing apparatus to test said heads throughout a number of said stations and automatically in dicate undesirable leakage of said heads, locking devices cooperating with said carrier to lock the satisfactory heads in adjusted position, and disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier.

21. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads, a carrier having holding holding means into cooperation with said head frames, head tensioning means to force home said holding means and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, load testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads and automatically indicate the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, hydraulic pressure testing apparatus to test said heads throughout a number of said stations and automatically indicate undesirable lealrage of said heads, locking devices cooperating with said carrier to lock the satisfactory heads in adjusted position. and disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier.

2-2. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads, a carrier having holding devices to engage head frames and relatively movable with respect to feeding or assembling devices at a series of stations, means to move said carrier relatively to said feeding or'assembling' devices to bring the holdingmeans into coiiperation with said head frames, head tensioning means to force home saldholdmg means and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, testing devices toengage and, test the assembled heads and automatically indicate the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, locking devices cotiperating with said carrier to lock the satisfactory heads in adjusted position and disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier.

23. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a rotary turret carrier provided with arms having holding devices to engage head frames, trips 00-' operating with said holding devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into coiiperation with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to bring head frames into cotiperation with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into coiiperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cooperation with said head frames at one of said stations; means to insert lmlding screws into said headframes at a one of said stations, a tension shaft and connected slip drivinggear to screw home said holding screws with a substantially uniform torque and place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads and to automaticilly set the cooperating trips in rejection position 1n case of the unsatisfactory condition of any of said heads and disengaging means to disengage said heads fromsaid carrier and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the heads when the corresponding trips are in rejection position.

24. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a rotary carrier having holding devices to I engage head frames, a valve mounted axially of said carrier and provided with pressure Qassages and ports, testing pipes connected with said holding devices and adapted to cotiperate.

with said ports, trips co'ciperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently more said carrier to bring the head frames into coiiperation with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to bring head frames into coiiperation with the holding devices in said carrier. means to feed caps into coiiperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cooperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, pressure testing apparatuscomprising automatic trip actuating means to test said heads throughout a number of said stations and set said trips in rejection position in case undesirable leakage occurs in the correspondmg heads, and sorting devices controlled by said trips to separate the heads when the corresponding trips'are in rejection position.

25. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movable carrier having holding devices to engage head frames, trips coiiperating with said holding devices, means to intermittently mgve said carrier to bring the head frames into cooperation with various stations, feeding and. inserting devices to insert a head frame into each of said holding devices in. said carrier, means to feed caps into coiiperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into cotiperation with said head frames at one of said stations, means to place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically set the co- 4 operating trips in rejection position in case of the unsatisfactory condition of said heads,

disengaging means to disengage said heads from said carrier and sorting devices con-" trolled by said trips to separate the rejected heads.

26. In machines for assembling automatic sprinkler heads or the like, a movable carrier having threaded holding devices to engage the threaded necks of head frames, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head frames into .cotiperation with various stations, feeding and inserting devices to insert a' head frame into each of said holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps in coiiperation with said head frames, retainer setting devices to feed retainers into coiiperation with said head frames at one of saidstations, means to place said caps and retainers under substantially uniform load, testing devices to engage and test the assembled heads at one of said stations and automatically indicate the unsatisfactory condition of said heads, and

sprinkler heads, -a movable carrierhaving holding devices to engage head frames, trips coiiperating with said holdlng devices, means to intermittently move said carrier to bring the head framesinto codperation with.

various stations, feeding devices to bring head frames into codperation with the holding devices in said carrier, means to feed caps into coiiperation with said head frames, retainer feeding devices to feed retainers 

